[and everyone else thought she'd be murdered. or, at least, die doing something dangerous]

Precisely. And I know for a fact that we're meant to discover these secrets, too. The Sheriff told me as much when I asked him.

"Brown nosing"-- [no Milla that is not the term] -- into the secrets of this town may be a part of the "entertainment" we're supposedly providing, but I'm certain it'll also give us answers. Answer that will help us all get home safely.